The Advantages of Timber and Log Homes
In the last few years both log homes and timber homes have become very common. They are not the same thing but they do have a lot of similar benefits. There are a lot of reasons that people are starting to rediscover the benefits of log homes. The main ones are that they are both stronger and more efficient than a regular house. If you are looking at building a new home it is definitely worthwhile to look at the benefits offered by log or timber homes.
The first thing that we need to understand is just what is the difference between a timber home and a log home. Most people are quite familiar with a log home it is just a home that is made out of logs. Full logs are used and they form both interior and the exterior wall of the house. A timber home on the other hand is one that is framed with timber. It uses cut timber to build the structure but the walls themselves are usually built out of materials like drywall. Normally with a timber home the structural timber is left visible on the interior of the house and incorporated into the decor.
The advantages that Timber and Log Homes offer are that they are very strong and they are very efficient. A log is an excellent insulator, much better than the insulation in a typical house, so you will find that your heating bills will go down dramatically. Logs are also great for soundproofing so that will be another benefit. A log home is also very strong and is far less likely to be damaged by the elements than a traditional home.
The advantages that a timber home offers are that they are also stronger than a regular framed house. Since the structure is built out of much thicker pieces of wood they are less likely to be damaged. A timber home is sort of a cross between a log home and a regular home. It gives you the benefit of stronger construction but at the same time it gives you the flexibility to design the house to look any way that you like since you are building the walls out of more mainstream building materials. A log home after all pretty much has to look like a log home.
It is important that if you are considering a log home or a timber home that you consider the benefits to decide which is right for you. One of the other advantages that they both offer is that they can be built in a faster time than a traditional home. On the other hand the construction costs will likely be higher. You are going to have to decide what is important to you in your house so that you can decide if log or timber framed homes are a good fit.